College student’s big shot on BBC Talent show

RUTH-ANN St. Luce, a contestant on BBC’s The Voice, says she is overwhelmed after getting one step closer to becoming the music star she has always dreamed of being.

The Kensington and Chelsea College student is to be coached by singer Jessie J after she wowed the talent show judge with a stirring rendition of Leona Lewis’ Run.

St. Luce, who is studying for a Level 2 Diploma in music at the London-based further education college, said in a statement: ‘It felt like I was meant to be there. It just felt like something I could do every day. I am just so overwhelmed right now. All my dreams are full of being a successful artist – I feel like it’s meant to be.’

The 18-year-old performed before an all-star panel of Tom Jones, Jessie J, Will.i.am and Danny O’Donoghue.

In the talent show, a search for the next great British voice, the celebrity panel sit facing away from the acts and can only hear them. If the stars like what they hear, they have to hit their buzzer and turn their chair around, at which point they get to see the person they have chosen for their team.

Jessie J said: “I couldn’t sing like that when I was that age. I am here to work on someone that I think could be phenomenal, and I think she is definitely that.”

Head of Music at Kensington and Chelsea College, Paul Hall, said: ‘Ruth is a shining example of what can be achieved with the right attitude, dogged determination and a thirst to learn. She has an incredible talent and everyone at the college knows she has what it takes to go all the way on The Voice.’